Friday, 30 November 2012

Elephanta Cave Island Is situated about 11 kms northwest of Apollo Bunder near Gateway of India, the departure point for ferries to the famous caves. Elephanta is about 1050 hectores in extant at high tide. It is a range of trap two and a half kilometers in length and about 173 meteres above sea level. The island, which has a coast line of 7 kms, consists of two hillocks separated by a narrow valley and once full of mangroves, but now on the decline. The rocky out crop found on the island is made up of trap, a form of basalt.

There are three small village viz. Raj Bunder, Shet Bunder and Mora Bunder located over the island and still inhabited by people, population roughly being 1600. Farming and fishing is the chief occupation of the habitant people here.

This island was known as "Gharapuri" in the
ancient Literature. The first component denotes the Gharis or Guruvas i.e. the
sudra priests of shaivite temple. The second 'puri' denotes 'town'. Thus the
Gharapuri it would mean the town of the 'Ghari- Priests'. In Prakrit the word ghara means fort or fortification
wall in Sanskrit it is called prakara. Which signify that it was once a
fortress city. It is an appropriate title for the Island. According to 11th
Century inscription on the copper vessle, this place was known as 'Sripuri',
meaning wealthy town or town of abundant wealth.

It is popularly believed that different
dynasties held their sway over this island such as the Mauryas of Konkan,
Trikutakas of Badami, Silaharas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Yadavas of
Devagiri and later by the Muslim rulers of Ahmedabad, the Maratha and finally
by the Portuguese before it passed in to the hands of British.

In 1534 A.D., the island passed into the hands of the
Portuguese. Portuguese landed on this island. They saw a colossal stone
elephant that was found on the island and they named it as "Elephanta
caves". However, in the early part of 19th century, the highly disintegrated
broken pieces of this monolithic stone elephant were reassembled by a British
Curator.

The staute has been now removed to Jijabai Bhonsle udyan Byculla
(Mumbai), formerly Bombay's Victoria Gardens. The Portuguese soldiers fired
several shots from a big gun into the cave to test the echo, thereby breaking
some of the sculptures and pillars.

Very Old Photos Caves Drawings Made on the Spot by W.Westall A.H.A in 1803.

A Drawings Made on the Spot by W.Westall A.H.A in 1803.

In 1909, the main cave was declared a protected site under
the Ancient Monuments preservation Act and came under the authority of the
Archaeological survey of India.

Elephanta Caves were included in the 'World Heritage' list
in the year 1987 by the UNESCO due to their outstanding universal value
representing a masterpiece of human creative genius and bear a unique and
exceptioned testimony to a cultural tradition.

How to Reach :

Now Let's Start our Trip to Elephanta Cave Island from Gateway of India, Mumbai you can find ferry for Elephanta Cave Island, tickets available near Gateway of India Adults fare is Rs.150/- & Child Rs. 100/- ( in year 2012) for upper Deck you need to pay Rs.10/- Extra on the Boat. First ferry Boat is Starts from Morning 9:00 AM & Last Boat on 5:30 PM.

BoatTickets

View of Hotel Taj & Gateway of India From Boat

Ferry Boat with upper Deck

while going towards Elephanta Cave Island in the Indian Ocean you can watch & Enjoy Huge Ships.

Cargo Ship in the Sea

Enjoy Huge Ships

After journey of Approx 40 to 50 mins you can see beautiful Elephanta Cave Island & North west Jetty.

view of Elephanta Cave Island

North West Jetty

Elephanta Cave Toy Train & Tax Ticket

Visitors Enjoy this Small Ride

Sign Board at Base of village

After Reaching to Island a small Toy Train is take you to base of village for Rs.10/-( Return fare in 2012)or you can just walk through the bridge and enjoy cool breeze of sea & Rs. 5/- Gram panchayat Tax only for Adults.

The Caves are a quarter mile off, you have to climb 120
steps to reach the cave temples. in the way you can find some local stalls of caps and mouth watering Green Mango Slice, Avala, Tamarind, Cucumber, and lots more and mainly monkeys, mostly they are harmless if you don't tease them. there are some hawkers in the way selling gift items and guide books.

Local villagers selling food & snacks

Add caption

Monkey eating Corn given by Visitors

Gift Articles Shop ( Idols of Gods)

Jetty view from top side

An Archaeological Officer is available near
the entrance to the Caves. This monuments is under the protected and control of
superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological survey of India, mini circle,
Mumbai. Entry Fees for Caves is for Indian Visitors is Rs.10/- & Rs. 250/- Foreign Visitors. (in the year 2012).

Archaeological survey of India Ticket

The first & Main Cave is just few steps ahead.

Entry of First Cave

We guide you to each and every corner of main cave just refer Bold Letters For more details on the topic :

A - MAHAYOGI SHIVA OR SHIVA AS LORD OF YOGIS :

As one enters the cave from the main entrance to the North,
immediately to the left and right are sculptured panels Representing Shiva as
the Lord of Yogis (Shiva Yogesvara) and the Lord of Dancers(Nataraja). In the
former (A) which is to the visitor's left, Shiva is shown sitting on a lotus,
the stalk of which seems to spring from the primaeval water, where it is held
by two Nagas, the genii of the deep. As yogisvara, he is the supreme master of
all yogic disciplines, as well as the teacher of all the arts that give
expression to an understanding and realisation of ultimate reality. The figure
is badly damaged, but the powerful swelling chest and the silent absorbed face,
though broken, express great spiritual strength and clam. Flying above are gods
and goddesses with splendid ethereal bodies. In the upper corner to our left
can be seen Brahma and Indra seated on their vehicles, the swan and the
elephant. Vishnu, who rides on Garuda, is to the right, at the level of Shiva's
chest, but the faces of both rider and vehicle are damaged.

The opposite panel (B), representing Shiva as the Lord of
Dancers, is much better preserved, but here too the lower portion of the
sculpture is almost completely missing. The Natraj panel is raised on a
platform measuring its width 3.28 meters, height 3.40 meters and depth 3.97
meters. The central Shiva figure admeasures approximately 3.24 meters. Shiva is
shown with eight hands. The first right arm, now broken below the elbow, stretches across his chest in a characteristic pose of the Lalita dance. Another
of his right hands holds a battle axe, from which a snake surges forward, to
rest on Shiva's shoulders. The face,

with the elaborate Jatamukuta, is calm and indrawn, as
though unconscious of the frenzy of the whirling arms. Note the hair falling
over the left shoulder, indicating a pronounced movement to the right which is
emphasized by the shoulders of the arm stretched across the chest. The folds of
the cloth placed on the right thigh serve only to emphasize the smooth
modelling of the limbs. Among the figures to the right is Parvati, and above
her is Vishnu, riding on Garuda, both figures being damaged. Indra can also be
seen riding his vehicle, the elephant Airavata. At the bottom to the left is a
seated drummer, and above him stands the war god Kumara (Kartikeya), the son of
Shiva, while above him is a very well preserved image of another son of Shiva,
the elephant-headed Ganesha. On the top are two scantily dressed and emaciated
ascetics, and next to them is Brahma, who is usually shown riding a swan but is
here shown on a seat that is borne by a row of flying swans. Hovering over the
great matted locks of Shiva are the usual long-limbed angels.

Brahma, Ganesha, Kartikeya Left side dancing figure of Shiva

There are in all 108 postures of Tandava dance. Parvati was
also participating in Tandava dance and she was equally good performer as
Shiva. So Shiva by playing hat trick, has raised one of the leg and touched it
to his head. The posture is known as Urdhva Tandava posture, but Parvati
appears to show hesitance to perform this posture, due to delicacy of
womanhood, this also is shown at Ellora in cave No. 16 on the main temple's
plinth level. She appears to be surrendering and admitting her defeat and turns
her face. Shiva was honored with title of 'Natraj'.

Natraj Shiva

C - MAHESH MURTI (aka TRIMURTI)

We enter the cave proper now, and it takes a little while
before the eye becomes accustomed to the gloom. Immediately in front, the
colossal image of Mahesamurti, the Great Lord, begins to take form in the half
darkness, and one is irresistibly drawn to it (C). The recess having a depth of
3.2 meters and width 6.55 meters. The height of the bust is 5.43 meters above
the base. The total height of the figure is 8.3 meters. The image is set in a
deep recess flanked by pilasters, on which are figures of dvarapalas,
considerably damaged, and accompanied by dwarf attendants. It is 18 feet high,
and represents the crowning achievement of Indian sculpture not to be ranked
second to anything found in the country. The image represents the supreme
Shiva, fully manifest.

The calm central face of Shiva represent Tatpursha or
Mahadeva with the full sensuous lip rests on a chest of mighty proportions,
which is adorned by rows of necklaces. The high mountain-like locks of hair
piled on top of the head are encircled by an elaborate three pointed tiara,
which has a crest jewel in the shape of a Kirtimukha (lion-face). One of the
hands in front holds a citron, while the other is damaged. The face of
destruction, that of Aghora or Bhairava, is to our left, and significantly, is
always in shadow, for it is

Shiva's manifestation as the destroyer who ends both death
and time. The bulging forehead, hooked nose, cruel mouth, and twirling
mustache hold terror; and symbols of death, a skull and serpents, adorn his
hair, while he holds yet another serpent in his hand. The third face represents
the God in his aspect as Vamadeva or Uma, the beautiful god, who is the
feminine aspect of creation. The face itself is female in its blossoming
beauty, full of solicitude and a sensuous enchantment. The hand holds a lotus,
while the hair is decorated with festoons of pearls and fresh flowers and
leaves. The fourth face which is not visible is said to represent Sadyajata or
Nandin.

On either side of the Mahesamurti is a panel one representing Shiva
Bearing the Ganga (Gangadhara Shiva), and the other Shiva Ardhanarisvara, the
Lord who is both Male and Female.

The latter panel (D) to the left of the Mahesamurti, is
comparatively well preserved, only the lower portions being somewhat damaged.
Shiva, one half of whose body is female, leans against the bull Nandi, the
upper hands holding a snake and a mirror. The fusion of the male and female
bodies symbolic the Divine Unity, in which all opposites are resolved. The
swelling breast and the rounded curve of hip of the feminine body are to the
right and the masculine chest and straight slim hips are to the left. The face
itself is androgynous in an enigmatic way,

being both male and female. Brahma and Vishnu are at their
usual places, the former being accompanied by Indra on his elephant. Below them
is the war god Kumara, with elaborately dressed hair. In front of Vishnu is
Varuna, god of the Waters, riding on a makara, and below are two mutilated but
superb figures of women, one of whom holds a chauri across her shoulders.
Numerous other figures crowd the compartment so that it appears to be the most
elaborate one in the cave temple.

Wednesday, 8 August 2012

Truly Amazing Water fall near Vasai -Kaman Raod, Nature Lover Must visit this Place during monsoon season.

Best time to visit is July to Sept. mainly at the time of Full monsoon.

How to Reach :

Nearest Rail way station is Vasai Road, from Vasai East, Take Auto (fare Approx Rs.100/- to Rs.150/-) for Kaman Phata or you can also take ST Bus from Vasai West Depot.Fare Approx Rs.10/- To Rs. 15/-) From Kaman Phata one small road from left side is going to wards Chinchoti Village.

Just Take a Path of that road around a 1km.walk you will reached to village, from village a narrow path is heading towards mountain, local villagers will guide you if you can not find this path, once you started trekking one more signs will guide you till the water fall is YELLOW MARK on trees & Stone in the way. Once you reached to water fall will make you forget all your tiredness, from big Rock a Large Water is Falling Down and collecting in one Pool and again its falling in another small pool both pools are deep so don't jump if you don't Swim.

Around 1.1/2 to 2 Hour will take to reach at water fall, path is not so easy, wear tuff pair of footwear
and carry Mosquito Repellent cream with you. Start early in morning so you spend much time to enjoy water fall and surrounded nature, leave this place before its getting dark, start your return journey around 4:30 to 5:00 PM.

Carry Food & Water with you as there is no any food or water available on the top. for safer side also keep first aid kit with you. avoid bringing small children e.g. below 5 years and Senior citizens.

All over it's Must Visit Place According to Me. We just need be careful sometimes.

Enjoy Some Nice PIX... and Please Give Your Comments........

Mountain view from Chinchoti Village

Narrow Path towards Chinchoti Water Fall

Amazing Chinchoti Water Fall

Chinchoti Water Fall

Chinchoti Water Fall

Chinchoti Water Fall

Chinchoti Water Fall

Small Natural Pool @ Chinchoti Water Fall

We Have Also Spoted this place on Google Maps.

Hope this will Helpful to you for plan a one day Picnic to Chinchoti Falls.

Monday, 9 July 2012

While going towards Palghar via Manor from NH - 8, you can find this Beautiful place, no need to trek or climb to reach here just park vehicle and enjoy this amazing water fall. on top of this Ghat a small temple of Waghoba is situated, while passing from this way people surely visit this place for sake of safe journey. huge number of monkeys are staying around, people's like to feed them, this monkey's are mostly harmless. surrounding are really breath taking.

Just try to carry your food with you as there is not any food outlet over here, except one small shop near Waghoba temple but here you can just find light snacks and Water.

The small way to the right of the temple takes us to the fort. We can recognize this route by a hand-pump at the start. It lies exactly ahead of the pump. Moving ahead it divides into three ways. Leaving left and right we take the central one.

This Kaldurga fort is hill type fort and is located in the Palghar District. The height of this fort is about 1550 feet. The fort range is Palghar and grade is medium. This Palghar range contains many hill forts and Kaldurg is one of them. The fort is lies on the border of the Javhar and Thane. All Mumbaikars enjoy this Palghar range as it is near to the Mumbai. There is no facility of food so one has carry food. You have to require minimum two and half hour to reach on the top of the fort from Waghoba Khind.
Best time to visit : During Monsoon.

In this way one more place you can visit A Dam on Surya river :

Enjoy some nice pix of Water fall, trek & Dam & small video of out trek.

Me and my 7 year old son, on the way towards manor

Trek to Kalgurg

Dam on Surya River

Hill View from Dam

Monkey at Waghoba Khind

Shiva Ling at Waghoba Temple

Monkey family playing at temple

Nice Water fall on just road touch

Mountain peak view from waterfall

Nice Road towards Manor

Don't' stick to your regular place try something new you must visit here during Monsoon with your Family and friends.